Pro career: Rex Ryan was named the head coach of the New York Jets on Jan. 19, 2009.

Before joining the Jets, Ryan spent 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, including 2008 as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. During Ryan’s tenure, the Ravens defense never ranked lower than sixth in the NFL. Since 1999, the Ravens rank first for fewest points allowed (17.1 per game), fewest rushing yards allowed per game (87.3), most shutouts (9), most takeaways (337), most interceptions (212), most interceptions for touchdowns (29) and third down conversion defense (33.9 percent). They rank second in the NFL since 1999 in total defense (280.7) and fourth in sacks (416). In those 10 seasons, the Ravens allowed an NFL-low 18 100-yard rushers, including none over the last 35 games.

Ryan earned 2006 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers Association. ... Rex was the only remaining Ravens' assistant coach from the 2000 Super Bowl XXXV season's superb defense. ... He spent six seasons as the Ravens' highly successful defensive line coach and owns a distinctive NFL bloodline when it comes to coaching defenses. ... Rex's father is the legendary Buddy Ryan and his twin brother is Rob Ryan, the new defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. ... The Ryan family is a who's-who trifecta that has coached in six Super Bowls with five different NFL teams — Jets (1968, Buddy), Minnesota (1976, Buddy), Chicago (1985, Buddy), Baltimore (2000, Rex), New Engalnd (2001, 2003, Rob).

2008: New Ravens head coach John Harbaugh named Ryan assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. ... The Ravens 2008 defense allowed 261.1 yards per game, marking the fourth time since 1999 the Ravens finished second overall in the NFL. ... The Ravens allowed 244 points, third-fewest in the NFL, and led the NFL with 34 takeaways, 26 interceptions and a league-low 60.6 opponents' passer rating. ... Baltimore also yielded a league-low four rushing touchdowns.

2007: The defense ranked second against the run and allowed only 2.8 yards per rushing attempt. ... Baltimore was the only NFL team that did not allow a 100-yard rusher. ... Despite losing 31 games to injuries by starters, all Pro Bowlers, the unit ranked sixth in the NFL. ... LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed earned their ninth and fourth Pro Bowls respectively.

2006: The Ravens' No. 1 defense again was dominant and ranked first in the NFL in points allowed (201, including just 64 (9.1 per game) in the final seven games; first in total defense (264.1 yards), first inside the 20 (33.3 percent TDs allowed); fewest third downs converted (28.8 percent) and fewest first downs permitted (236); first in takeaway/giveaway ratio (plus-17), second in takeaways (40 to Chicago's 44); 1first in INTs (28, including five returned for TDs); and second in sacks (60 to San Diego's 61) and first in sacks per play. ... Six defensive TDs were scored (5 INTs, 1 FR) by five different players. ... Six defensive players earned Pro Bowl nods.

2005: Replaced Mike Nolan, who went to San Francisco, as defensive coordinator. ... Overall, the defense finished second in the AFC and fifth in the NFL and allowed just 284.7 yards per contest. ... Against the rush, Baltimore ranked sixth in the AFC and ninth in the NFL. ... Baltimore allowed the fourth-fewest first downs in the AFC (17.7 per game). ... Opponents' starting RBs were held to under 100 yards 12 times and under 65 yards eight times. ... The defense finished third in the AFC in third-down efficiency, allowing opponents to convert on just 36.1 percent of their opportunities. ... Baltimore allowed 4.56 yards per play, closing the year behind the Steelers (4.55), ranking second in the AFC and third in the NFL. ... Against the pass, Baltimore ranked fourth in the AFC and eighth in the NFL. ... The 5.63 yards allowed per pass play was tops in the AFC and second in the NFL.

2004: Baltimore's defense allowed the sixth-fewest points in the NFL and ranked sixth in total yards allowed. ... Ravens were first in the AFC and second in the NFL with 3.6 yards allowed per rush. ... Defensively, they scored seven TDs (5 INTs, 2 FRs). ... They were first in the AFC and second in the NFL in opponent passer rating (68.0) and first in the NFL in three-and-outs (59 compared to NFL average of 43).

2003: Ravens defense was among the NFL's best, finishing third (fourth vs. rush and sixth vs. pass). ... Led the NFL in sacks (47) and tied for first in the AFC and second in the NFL with 41 takeaways. ... Ravens ranked first in the AFC with 17 FR. ... Allowed the fewest yards per play (4.2) and the fourth-fewest passing yards (175.3 per game) in the NFL.

2002: Defense held opponents to AFC-best 3.7 yards per carry. ... Linemen averaged two years of experience and 24 years of age.

2001: Finished second in the NFL in defense, fourth against the run. ... Defense finished in the NFL's top four in several important categories, including first in total yards allowed per play (4.4), second in total yards allowed per game (277.9) and third in rushing average allowed per play (3.4). ... Finished fourth in the NFL in fewest points allowed with 265. ... Record-setting defense did not permit a 100-yard rusher in 50 straight games, including the playoffs.

2000: Finished first against the run, second in the NFL in defense. ... Set 16-game NFL-record by allowing only 970 yards rushing and 2.68 yards per rushing attempt. ... Defense gave up the fewest points (165) in NFL history in a 16-game season.

1999: Joined Brian Billick's staff. ... Ravens were second in the NFL in overall defense, second against the rush.

Arizona Cardinals, 1994-95: Spent two seasons coaching under his father, then-head coach Buddy Ryan. 1995: Coached the LBs. 1994: Rex coached the D-line. ... Cardinals ranked in the NFL's top five in every major defensive statistical category, including third in overall defense.

Personal: Attended Stevenson (Prairie View, IL) HS. ... Ryan has been on the Maryland Special Olympics honorary board of directors. ... Participated in Maryland State Police's Polar Bear Plunge in 2006 and '07). ... Ryan and fellow Ravens coaches Mike Pettine, Mark Carrier and Vic Fangio, won two trophies and the main event at the Chris McAlister Foundation's golf tournament last May. ... Rex and wife Michelle have two teenage sons: Payton and Seth.